Westerville VFW Post 7783 purchased a pair of shoelaces for all students at Hanby Elementary, which is in the home stretch of its Shoe Tying Challenge.
For more than two months, students have learned how to tie their shoes and demonstrated their skills in a shoe-tying test with physical education teacher Alisa Franklin.
The goal of the challenge is for all students to be able to tie their shoes by winter break. As of Friday, all but three students in the school have passed their test.
The first class in each grade level received a reward to visit a nearby park with Principal MeganRose Forman. If the entire school meets its goal, students will receive cookies and cocoa when they return from winter break.
As an added reward, the Westerville VFW Post 7783 donated shoelaces for all students who completed the challenge. In response, Franklin had students write thank you letters to the VFW for their support.
Franklin distributed the shoelaces to students on Friday.
While the goal has been to get students to tie their shoes successfully, the challenge gave students a boost of confidence. Franklin has noticed students coming to school with tie shoes and she has received messages from parents who are thankful for the challenge and working with kids to develop the fine-motor skill.
“It’s given students a sense of independence,” Franklin said.